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Posted November 2, 2011
Mihai has his eyes on the future, but only the ancient magic in his blood can save his family.
One of the things that immediately drew me in to The Wolf's Torment was the exciting prologue. Often I have come across stories with prologues filled with necessary and interesting background information, but few of them have been as action packed as the one in this story. Ms. Burkhart managed to convey quite a bit about Mihai's history during a dangerous chase scene that ends in a battle between two witches.
The story does slow down a bit from there, but this slower pace is short lived and allowed me to really get to know the major characters. First there is the hero, Mihai. He struck me as very mature for his young age, but then he has to be strong since his father's health is failing and he must be prepared to assume the role of king. Mihai is very serious most of the time, yet it is clear that he has a big heart. He adores his sister Sonia and truly cares for his best friend Viktor. I really liked Mihai, but he is not without his flaws. When he returns to Moldavia, he is supposed accept an arranged marriage. However, Mihai had an affair while he was at school in London. This indiscretion certainly came back to haunt him when he meets Theresa, his intended.
It was also very interesting to watch Mihai balance the duties of being a prince against the supernatural world. During the day, he is debating with parliament about taxes, and at night he is learning to harness his newly discovered powers. Despite the very large gap between the mundane and the paranormal, Ms. Burkhart managed to blend the two so well, that I had no trouble watching Mihai oversee a construction project one minute and cast a spell the next.
I liked Theresa immediately. She is loving, honest, and open to adventure. She approaches new experiences and activities with an energy that is simply contagious. Despite her sweet spirit, I loved that Theresa stood up for herself. Whenever she felt that Mihai was neglecting her, she wasn't afraid to let him know. When Theresa learns of Mihai's affair, she is very hurt. However, I admired her ability to rise above it and continue to build her relationship with Mihai. I honestly think that Theresa and Mihai make a wonderful couple. Theresa is just the right woman to balance Mihai's serious personality and encourage him to take time to relax every now and then.
As much as I liked Theresa, toward the end of The Wolf's Torment, she makes some very terrible decisions. I won't spoil the ending by revealing the circumstances that influence her decision making process. I will say that even though she was under a lot of stress I thought her actions seemed a little out of character. I found it hard to believe that after all the things she had witnessed concerning witches and werewolves that she would still choose to take a certain path. It did not sit well with me at all.
Read the full review at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JoyCagil
Posted June 18, 2011
I found this novel to be absolutely spectacular. Its author made me care for all the characters, especially the antagonist who turned a villain through no fault of his own. Although Wolf's Torment can be classified as a loosely historical paranormal-romance, the many underlying themes--such as the friendship dynamic, coming of age, family ties and troubles, and facing political realities, sickness, and death--give it a meaning deeper than an average genre book. The many characters are introduced without overwhelming the reader. As a result, I can remember every one of them, despite the novel's page-turner quality. The story starts with the crown prince Mihai Sigmaringen's return home to Moldavia after receiving an education in England. Accompanying him is his best friend, Viktor Bacau, who decides to settle as Mihai's advisor in Constanta, Moldavia. Viktor falls in love with Mihai's sister and they get married, as does Mihai to his intended Lady Theresa von Kracken. Mihai is a witch from his mother's side, and when Viktor gets bitten by a werewolf, all troubles begin. Through the course of the story, Mihai learns about himself and how to love and keep what and who he really wants in life. The construction of the novel is superb, and Stephanie Burkhart weaves her intricate plot through every scene, every emotion, every perspective with passion and minute attention to particulars. Every character, even the secondary ones, are drawn with utmost care. After the first few introductory pages, the story never loses its suspense and tension. This novel is not only highly entertaining but also it boasts its author's mastery of fiction writing. I loved it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.An ancient heritage and modern technology collide in the dark, tense tale The Wolf's Torment, the latest historical paranormal from Stephanie Burkhart. Mihai Sigmaringen, crown prince of Moldavia, returns from university to face an ailing father, an unwanted fiancée, and the political quagmire of trying to unify competing principalities into one country. A child of a witch, Mihai struggles to balance his supernatural heritage against multiple, mundane details required to bring his country into the modern era. The story begins with a breath-stealing carriage chase that ends with the death of the queen and the revelation that despite its modern veneer, old terrors still live in Romania. The pace never lets up as Mihai struggles to take on his father's royal duties with help from his sister, Sonia, and friend, Viktor Bacau. Complicating his duties is the arrival of his fiancée, Theresa, and a werewolf, who has marked Victor to be his next victim. Once the threat is uncovered, Mihai realizes he has mere weeks to learn to wield the power of the witch-or watch those he loves be destroyed. Set in 1865, the story begins with Mihai's homecoming and explores the boundaries of love and friendship as one generation inherits family legacies, good and bad, and sets the foundation for the rest of their lives. The heady optimism of the young is tempered by danger and disaster, and readers will lose their hearts as they watch Mihai struggle to find the wisdom and power to protect those he loves.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
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